Fire Engines Photos

Is the handbrake that bad that you need blocks to stop it rolling down hill?

Added by Peter Bromley on 07 October 2009.

Peter: Wheel-chocks are SOP (Standard) for most Fire Departments in North America, that I know of; especially when working at a fire-scene.

There is a "Safety Back-Up" aspect as many of our Automatic Transmission-equipped trucks operate the pump in "Neutral" or a "Drive" selection; Manual Transmission trucks engage Neutral or a Forward Gear.

The Air-brakes Parking Brake selector is usually a little spring-loaded pull-switch, that doesn't indicate much.

In winter's freezing cold; with the inevitable ice and snow already down and added to, by all the water flying about; the chocks also make the Driver think about ensuring his truck isn't going to slide anywhere on him.

"Health & Safety"-wise; there is an interesting contrast shown on these pages...

The current British appliances don't chock their wheels, apparently: but their crews are prevented from climbing atop their rigs.

North America: can clamber all over the rigs: but have to be sure to chock the wheels.

Japan: Fire-Trucks are wheel-chocked, even in their stations: I was thinking, to prevent a big earth-quake from sending them through the walls...

I am not meaning to preach, in any way. This 'Site is great for showing all the different Fire-Fighting Equipments and Methods, around our world.

Regards, from Canada,
Pat_R-B


Added by Pat Rivers-Bowerman on 07 October 2009.

Well we don't climb on our trucks because we design them so we don't have to! We design them so that all the ladders and equipment we need on the roof of the appliance can be brought down via levers and handles meaning the ladders can be easily pulled off without risking the safety of anyone! Why put people at unnecessary risk if we can do it a better way in the first place is what i say!

And as for not chocking our vehicles, there is no need! Our trucks don't need it, the handbrake and the brakes are constructed in perfect balance with the weight and height of the vehicle so chance of it rolling around whilst parked or in any other circumstances are frankly very unlikely Pat.

Added by Peter Bromley on 08 October 2009.

Hi Pat! Well, here in Sweden, where I live, the firebrigades has no problems with the handbrakes on the vehicles!It dos not matter if it a manaul or automatic gearbox.Arriving to the scene, the driver puts the gearstick into neutral, engage the hanbrake, and start the PTO with a switch on the dashboard!
Anders F. Sweden.

Added by Anders Fallström on 28 August 2014.

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